Catamenial device and method of forming same



Sept. 22, 1959 A. J. c. SCHWARTZ 2,905,175

CATAMENIAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME Filed 001,. 24, 1955 "III'III l/1 ll'lllll 'l I Fig 5 INVENT ALFRED J.C. SCHW TZ 2,905,175 Patented Sept. 22, 1959 CATAMENIAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME Alfred J. C. Schwartz, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,294

Claims. (Cl. 128-270) This invention relates in general to catamenial devices and in particular to that form of catamenial device in which a tampon is forced out of a telescopic holder after insertion of the holder in the vaginal canal.

Although it is known that a number of different devices of the same general nature as mine exist in the prior art, insofar as I am aware none of these devices are constructed in the same manner as mine nor can they accomplish the same function as mine; that is, my catamenial device goes a step further than any shown in the prior art in that it does a more complete job in performing its function as will be seen hereinafter.

It has been found that presently available catamenial devices of the tampon variety do not accomplish a completely satisfactory job of reaching all parts of the vaginal canal, particularly the anterior and posterior cul de sac of the vagina. Menstrual fluid entering these areas, if not absorbed by a catamenial device or if not removed by douching, causes undesirable odors and does not lend itself to body cleanliness.

It has also been found that with the ordinary types of tampons, complete absolption of the menstrual fluid by the tampon material is not possible because of the nature of construction of the tampon.

Keeping these problems in mind it is therefore one object of my invention to provide a catamenial device in the form of a tampon having a multi-fingered end, which, after insertion in the vaginal canal can spread in several directions to more effectively cover a greater area in performing its function as a fluid absorber.

It is another object of my invention to form the tampon from a flat sheet of absorbent material, and form a plurality of fingers by cutting transversely to one edge of said sheet, and stitching the length of each finger and converging the stitches at one side of the fiat sheet opposite the fingers and ending in a loose cord for use in removing the tampon for disposal.

Other objects and advantages as well as the construction and use of my invention will be apparent by reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the catamenial device forming my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the absorbent portion extended from the tube.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the vaginal tract showing one of my devices in fluid absorbing position.

Fig. 4 is a view of the absorbent material as a flat sheet prior to forming into a roll for insertion in a tube.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the catamenial device from the ejection end of the tube.

Referring now to the drawing by numerals of reference, 1 designates a tube with inturned end 2 bearing against tightly packed tampon 3 of cotton or other suitable absorbent material held securely in a second tube 4 sleeved over a portion of the tube 1, a sufficient portion 1' of tube 1 remaining exposed for ejection of tampon.

A substantial portion of the length of the tampon is slit into a plurality of fingers 5 whereby said fingers may separate and spread as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

A suitable thread or cord 6 is afiixed to the tampon and used to withdraw same for disposal. As I have shown in Fig. 4, the tampon may be initially formed from a flat sheet of material 7, slits 8 providing a plurality of fingers 5.

The thread or cord 6 is sewn approximately along the center line of each finger as shown at 6' converging at edge 9 of the flat sheet of material 7 and extending therefrom in a single cord 6 as shown. Any of several different arrangements in stitching can be used without departing from the principle of my invention. The stitching or thread will not interfere with the expansion or absorbent qualities of the tampon, whereas it will reinforce it considerably to aid in its insertion and withdrawal.

By this arrangement each finger is reinforced, and pulling the cord will not result in separation of same from the tampon or in rupture of any of the fingers.

The flat piece of absorbent material is rolled tightly, compressed and forced into tube 4 to form the tampon as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

In the use of the catamenial device comprising my invention the combined tubes 1 and 4 with compressed tampon 3 are gently inserted into the vaginal tract to a point where one can still manipulate the slidably related tubes. Tube 1 is then gently pushed inwardly to ejected packed tampon 3 from tube 4. Fingers 5 will separate and space themselves in the anterior and posterior cul de sac of the vagina, penetrating the farthest points therein whereby all menstrual fluid will be absorbed by the tampon and none will remain to create odors. The cord 6 will remain extended from the vagina opening for easy removal of the tampon.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a new and novel tampon and method of forming same, said tampon having a plurality of fingers at one end which will separate to cover more area within the vaginal cavity and to more effectively absorb discharged menstrual fluid.

It is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and details of construction or steps in the method may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention and I reserve the right to all such changes as come within the scope of these specifications and the claims which follow.

What i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A blank for forming a tampon for a catamenial device, comprising a flat sheet of absorbent material of greater length than width, a plurality of fingers formed along one side of said flat sheet parallel to the longest side thereof, and stitching longitudinally through the fingers.

2. The structure as specified in claim 1, said stitching converging in the flat sheet.

3. The structure as specified in claim 1, said stitching converging in the flat sheet and extending therefrom in a draw cord.

4. The structure as specified in claim 2, and a cord extending from the flat sheet and secured to the stitching.

5. The method of forming a catamenial device of the tampon variety which comprises employment of a flat sheet of absorbent material, slitting the sheet transversely from one edge to form a plurality of fingers, rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrically shaped tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

6. The method of forming a catamenial device of the tampon variety which comprises employment of a flat sheet of material, slitting the sheet transversely from one side to a point past the center of the flat sheet forming a plurality of fingers, and rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrical tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

7. The method of forming a catamenial device of the tampon variety which comprises employment of a fiat sheet'of absorbent material, slitting the sheet transversely from one edge to form a plurality of fingers, stitching longitudinally of the fingers, rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrically shaped tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

8. The method of forming a catamenial device of the tampon variety which comprises employment of a fiat sheet of absorbent material, slitting the sheet transversely from one edge to form a plurality of fingers, stitching longitudinally of the fingers, converging the stitching in the unslitted portion of the material, rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrical ly shaped tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

9. The method for forming a catarnenial device of the tampon variety which comprises employment of a flat sheet of absorbent material, slitting the sheet transversely from one edge to form a plurality of fingers, stitching longitudinally of the fingers, extending the stitching to form a cord extending from the flat sheet of material, rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrically shaped tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

10. The method of forming a catamenial device of the tampon variety Which comprises employment of a fiat sheet of absorbent material, slitting the sheet transversely from one edge to form a plurality of fingers, stitching longitudinally of the fingers, converging the stitching in the unslitted portion of the material, extending the converged stitching to form a cord extending from the fiat sheet of material, rolling the material to form a substantially cylindrically shaped tampon, and packing said tampon in a holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,386,590 Calhoun Oct. 9, 1945 20 2,428,306 Beagle Sept. 30, 1947 2,432,559 Clarke Dec. 16, 1947 

